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Topic Review (Newest First)

01-07-2013 08:54 AM

Oilyrascal

I just ordered the Ron Francis, Im tired of screwing with this thing, I did find some cheaper but not by much, they wouldnt carry the same load and it just was not worth it. I hope this finally fixes the problem. Thanks

01-07-2013 02:51 AM

Oilyrascal

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe G

I suppose the terms voltage reducer and converter can be used interchangeably, if that's what you're asking. I was careful to say 'electronic voltage reducer' because most of what you find for sale listed as a '12v to 6v converter' is nothing more than a resistor, and you know how well they work.

Good luck...

Thanks for your help

01-06-2013 08:27 PM

Joe G

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oilyrascal

That may help very much, I believe that the resistor doesn't work because it's a series wound motor, but, a 6V convertor of the type made for radios in 6V cars converted to 12V will work....(it has regulated voltage output)

Is this what might be considered a converter that you show above ? Thanks

I suppose the terms voltage reducer and converter can be used interchangeably, if that's what you're asking. I was careful to say 'electronic voltage reducer' because most of what you find for sale listed as a '12v to 6v converter' is nothing more than a resistor, and you know how well they work.

Good luck...

01-06-2013 06:55 PM

Oilyrascal

Thanks, do you have one in particular that you would recommend, I have been told that the wiper motor draws no more than 4 -4.5 amps, the one mentioned above is a bit pricey and while I am looking for a quality product If I can find one that is more in -line with my needs for a better price I would like to hear about it.

There will be nothing else running off of this converter, everything else has been converted to 12 volt already.

01-06-2013 06:45 PM

DanielC

You need the electronic converter.
Electric motors all have the characteristic of drawing more current under a heavier load, and the resistor drops the voltage even more under the load, so the wiper motor and dropping resistor are actually "fighting" each other.

01-06-2013 06:35 PM

Oilyrascal

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe G

This is correct. The amount of voltage dropped by a dropping resistor varies in proportion to the amount of current passing through it. This applies to all resistors, whether they are aluminum, ceramic, or anything else. Voltage dropping resistors are only suitable for heater blower motors, and lights.

What I recommend is an electronic voltage reducer. It's a transistor based device that senses and reacts to varying current loads to keep it's output voltage a steady 6 volts.

I have had extremely good luck with the Ron Francis VR-4 electronic voltage reducer. it's rated for up to 15 amps continuous.

I have installed at least ten of these over the years, and only one has failed - and that one only failed because it got overloaded.

Hope this helps....

Joe G.

That may help very much, I believe that the resistor doesn't work because it's a series wound motor, but, a 6V convertor of the type made for radios in 6V cars converted to 12V will work....(it has regulated voltage output)

Is this what might be considered a converter that you show above ? Thanks

01-06-2013 05:09 PM

Joe G

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oilyrascal

......I can tell you for sure the resist depends on the current flow. On a blower motor it would probably work, but on the wiper motor, with a dry windshield, the motor has a lot of drag on it, so it draws a lot of current through the resistor, so the voltage has a large drop, and the motor barely moves the wipers. When the windshield is wet, there is less drag, so there is less current flowing to the motor, so there is less voltage drop, so your wipers are whipping back and forth too fast. It's not a good thing.

This is correct. The amount of voltage dropped by a dropping resistor varies in proportion to the amount of current passing through it. This applies to all resistors, whether they are aluminum, ceramic, or anything else. Voltage dropping resistors are only suitable for heater blower motors, and lights.

What I recommend is an electronic voltage reducer. It's a transistor based device that senses and reacts to varying current loads to keep it's output voltage a steady 6 volts.

I have had extremely good luck with the Ron Francis VR-4 electronic voltage reducer. it's rated for up to 15 amps continuous.

I have installed at least ten of these over the years, and only one has failed - and that one only failed because it got overloaded.

Hope this helps....

Joe G.

01-06-2013 01:01 PM

Oilyrascal

Quote:

Originally Posted by enjenjo

It is a factory Ford motor made bt American Bosch. Outstanding system, with no new parts available. It was not common on pickups, but the bigger models, F4, F5 ect. used it a lot.

Years ago when I had a pickup with that setup.I used a rheostat type heater control under the dash between the power supply and the wiper switch set to output 6.5 volts under load.

The box clearly states application and it does not fit within my parameters, I did see this one myself and thought I was maybe in luck, thanks anyway

01-06-2013 12:59 PM

Oilyrascal

Quote:

Originally Posted by ogre

interesting looking motor; a gearbox on each end and stiff arm to hold everything together.
you don't say what model truck you have, but i've never seen a 52 anything that didn't have vacuum wipers on it.
i'd almost bet that is a 12 volt conversion, look carefully at the motor for any markings

Ford truck did not come out with 12 volt until 56, I have a 52 F-7, vacuum was standard electric 6 volt was optional

01-06-2013 12:15 PM

enjenjo

Quote:

Originally Posted by ogre

interesting looking motor; a gearbox on each end and stiff arm to hold everything together.
you don't say what model truck you have, but i've never seen a 52 anything that didn't have vacuum wipers on it.
i'd almost bet that is a 12 volt conversion, look carefully at the motor for any markings

It is a factory Ford motor made bt American Bosch. Outstanding system, with no new parts available. It was not common on pickups, but the bigger models, F4, F5 ect. used it a lot.

Years ago when I had a pickup with that setup.I used a rheostat type heater control under the dash between the power supply and the wiper switch set to output 6.5 volts under load.

interesting looking motor; a gearbox on each end and stiff arm to hold everything together.
you don't say what model truck you have, but i've never seen a 52 anything that didn't have vacuum wipers on it.
i'd almost bet that is a 12 volt conversion, look carefully at the motor for any markings

01-06-2013 06:11 AM

OneMoreTime

Moving to electrical where sparky guys live..Just maybe they can fix it so it works with no sparkies,,

Sam

01-06-2013 05:01 AM

Oilyrascal

wiper issue 6 volt to 12 volt

I am having trouble finding information I can rely on when it comes to the wiper motor in my 52 truck. There are some great guys that know electrical very well on the mid eighties stuff ( which is where alot of my electrical components come from ) but when it comes to the earlier stuff they are not so knowledgeable and some of the guys that deal more with the earlier stuff are just throwing things out and from what I found really are not helping because they have no real world experience with what I am dealing with.

I am tired of buying something that someone recommends just cause they recommended it and then I am disappointed with how it works.

I would like to understand what I need and why I need it, here is what I have....

This is the stock wiper assy from my 52 truck, it is 6 volt, the truck only has 23.000 miles on it and I am certain that this part is not worn out/damaged in any way.

New 12 volt conversions not only need modifications and alot of aggravation to install but hinge on what I consider crap parts unlike this well made unit that fits perfectly within my truck. Also the new units are ridiculous in cost.

Years ago I put in this voltage reducer in line to make this wiper motor work at someones recommendation and it does work but this statement best describes the problem with this voltage reducer, this statement was made for reducers in general I guess and was not pinpointing the reducer I have used since this poster did not know at the time what I was using..........I can tell you for sure the resistor for the wiper motor does not work well. The resistor drops the voltage down, but the amount of drop depends on the current flow. On a blower motor it would probably work, but on the wiper motor, with a dry windshield, the motor has a lot of drag on it, so it draws a lot of current through the resistor, so the voltage has a large drop, and the motor barely moves the wipers. When the windshield is wet, there is less drag, so there is less current flowing to the motor, so there is less voltage drop, so your wipers are whipping back and forth too fast. It's not a good thing. ................

This is exactly what I have experienced with this resistor.

I have read over and over about a ceramic resistor that used to be avail made my Vol-Ta-Drop that would have supposedly worked but evidently these are no longer made however ceramic resistors are still being made but I just dont want to buy the first one that the guy recommends when I call on Mon just because he is over there, I am over here and he dosent have to deal with the headaches when it does not work like I think it should.

I have read that these wiper motors originally used on 4-4.5 amps max but this was stated by someone that has led me astray a couple of times now and I am done relying on his in-put so this may or may not be correct.

I would like this 6 volt electric wiper motor assy to operate just like it did when new when the truck was 6 volts. I now have 12 volts and do not want to damage this motor in any way because they are un-obtainable. Is this possible?